Thread Rating:
09-28-2012, 11:04 AM
For 20 years Russell County bobbed along as a .500 football program, posting a 107-107 record from 1990 to 2009. But the Lakers have found success the last couple seasons, going 15-2, including a 6-0 mark this year.
There's no secret formula to their winning ways: "We've got more skilled kids, better athletes than in the past," Coach Bill Sharp said.
The best of the bunch is Nick Britt, whom Sharp calls "by far the best running back who's come through this system." The 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior, with 4.5 speed, has rushed for 75 touchdowns and more than 4,600 yards in his career.
"If he's 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, he's a Division I prospect," Sharp said. "I think he's a big-time kid who could play someplace like Eastern Kentucky."
Russell County, rated No. 21 in the state by Dave Cantrall, has talent surrounding Britt. Barton Mann, a 6-4, 205-pound senior quarterback, has thrown for 2,100 yards and 18 TDs over the past two years. Junior speedster Evan Fletcher complements Britt at running back. Junior Blake Ellis has 1,100 receiving yards and 12 TD catches. Sharp thinks he has the best kicker in the state in senior Lucas Williams, who has 12 field goals in his career, including a 49-yarder last week. "The kid's killing the ball," Sharp said.
Sharp played for Russell County in the 1970s, and was an assistant coach from 1991 until he took over as head coach in 2005. He knows the program's history includes one team (1983) that had an undefeated regular season, and only two teams that have won a playoff game (in 2000 and 2009) in 43 years.
The Lakers have a shot at both this season. They appear to be on a collision course with unbeaten Class 4A district rival Knox Central. They play on Oct. 19. But Sharp isn't about to look past Rockcastle County and Clay County the next two weeks. "We've gotta control our own destiny. We can't afford to blink," he said.http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/27/23528...ll-co.html
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/27/23528...rylink=cpy
There's no secret formula to their winning ways: "We've got more skilled kids, better athletes than in the past," Coach Bill Sharp said.
The best of the bunch is Nick Britt, whom Sharp calls "by far the best running back who's come through this system." The 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior, with 4.5 speed, has rushed for 75 touchdowns and more than 4,600 yards in his career.
"If he's 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, he's a Division I prospect," Sharp said. "I think he's a big-time kid who could play someplace like Eastern Kentucky."
Russell County, rated No. 21 in the state by Dave Cantrall, has talent surrounding Britt. Barton Mann, a 6-4, 205-pound senior quarterback, has thrown for 2,100 yards and 18 TDs over the past two years. Junior speedster Evan Fletcher complements Britt at running back. Junior Blake Ellis has 1,100 receiving yards and 12 TD catches. Sharp thinks he has the best kicker in the state in senior Lucas Williams, who has 12 field goals in his career, including a 49-yarder last week. "The kid's killing the ball," Sharp said.
Sharp played for Russell County in the 1970s, and was an assistant coach from 1991 until he took over as head coach in 2005. He knows the program's history includes one team (1983) that had an undefeated regular season, and only two teams that have won a playoff game (in 2000 and 2009) in 43 years.
The Lakers have a shot at both this season. They appear to be on a collision course with unbeaten Class 4A district rival Knox Central. They play on Oct. 19. But Sharp isn't about to look past Rockcastle County and Clay County the next two weeks. "We've gotta control our own destiny. We can't afford to blink," he said.http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/27/23528...ll-co.html
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/27/23528...rylink=cpy
![[-]](https://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/images/lifestyle/collapse.png)
09-28-2012, 01:00 PM
Good luck Lakers, now finish the deal, just FINISH!!!
09-28-2012, 01:14 PM
They are very good this year. Looking forward to hosting them at Knox Central real soon. Canady vs Britt should be a thriller. Their kicker could be the biggest advantage they have over many mountain teams who still rely on a straight on kicker who often times does not even have a square toe shoe... It is impossible to kick well straight on with a normal cleat but I see it every Friday night. RC kicker is a powerful soccer boot who can beat you from 50.
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
